A BRADFORD woman has donated an “exceptionally high” amount of blood plasma, which could prove to be an effective treatment for Covid-19.

Karen Dack, 52, will make her eleventh donation of the antibody-rich plasma tomorrow - an amount much more than many people are able to give.

Clinical trials are determining whether plasma found in people who have had coronavirus - known as convalescent plasma - could be used to treat those battling Covid-19.

Plasma is transfused into patients who are struggling to develop their own immune response and the antibodies could slow or stop the virus spreading, which could save lives.

Mrs Dack, from Oakenshaw, and who works at Batley Grammar School, explained that at the start of the pandemic, in early April, she felt unwell for around 10 days, but did not have the classic symptoms of the virus.

She recalled having a cup of coffee which tasted “awful” and when a change of taste and smell were added to the list of symptoms, it dawned on her she may have had Covid-19.

A test later confirmed her antibody levels were high and from then, she has been able to donate plasma at the Bradford Blood Donor Centre, on Manor Row.

Mrs Dack has been a blood and platelet donor for many years and she is keen to carry on donating plasma for as long as she is able to.

She said: “It’s a really easy process. It helps the fight against Covid. Why wouldn’t you give something to somebody that needs your help?”

Mrs Dack added: “As long as I can, I will continue to do it. It’s such a good thing to do, and what a great feeling to have afterwards.”

She encouraged anyone who is able to, to donate and said: “It’s nice to think you can do something. I’m just glad that I can continue to do it.”

The donations are urgently needed so that if the trials confirm patient benefit, plasma can be made readily available for general use in the NHS. People can register their interest in donating plasma online.

Anyone aged over 17 who has had Covid-19 can offer to donate blood plasma donor.
Donating takes just 45 minutes and the whole appointment, including time for snacks, lasts approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.

An NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) spokesperson said: “Karen has donated an exceptionally high number of times for a female donor.

“We’re grateful to Karen and everyone donating. Donation is safe and easy, and you could save lives. Your body quickly replaces the antibodies afterwards.”

Around 20 people are booked in to donate plasma at the Bradford centre in the coming week.

Donations are especially needed from more male and Black, Asian and minority ethnic donors, as their plasma is more likely to contain the higher levels of antibodies required.

“This is because people who are more seriously ill from coronavirus produce higher antibody levels. People who needed hospital treatment are especially likely to have high antibody levels,” said the NHSBT spokesperson.

The need for effective Covid-19 treatments has been put into even sharper focus recently, given the current situation.

On Friday, it was revealed the new strain Covid 19 is responsible for between 50 and 70 per cent of new cases in Bradford. It’s spread has led Bradford Council’s public health department to urge people to stick to lockdown measures.